NASA Astronauts Finally Return, Seals Hold Their Breath, and Penguin Poop Stresses Out Krill
In this week’s news roundup, two NASA astronauts finally return to Earth after nine unexpected months in space, gray seals hold their breath for more than an hour, and penguin poop panics krill.
Can Earth’s Rotation Generate Electricity? Physicists Divided over Controversial Idea
Experiments suggest an unusual magnetic material could help harness energy from Earth’s rotation. But not everyone is convinced
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What Makes a Moon?
Defining the word “moon” is harder than you might think
We’re Not Going to Mars Anytime Soon—Despite What Musk Says
Elon Musk and Donald Trump have announced ambitious plans to send a mission to Mars in 2026 and 2028. It’s not going to happen
Shocking Dark Energy Findings Challenge the Standard Model of the Universe
A new map of cosmic expansion suggests that dark energy evolves over time, hinting that the universe doesn’t work the way we thought it did
Blue Ghost Lander Successfully Completes Historic Lunar Mission
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost commercial lander has gone dark on the moon as planned, but not before sending back spectacular views of the lunar sunset
‘Space Advertising’ Could Outshine the Stars—Unless It’s Banned First
Astronomers are racing to protect the dark skies as private companies seek to place large advertisements in Earth orbit
After 286 Days in Space, NASA Astronauts Return to Earth with a Splash
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams had been “stuck” at the International Space Station since June 6, 2024, after Boeing’s Starliner, the vehicle they rode to get there, ran into multiple hardware problems
Best-Yet ‘Baby Pictures’ of the Universe Unveiled
The final results from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope offer the sharpest, most sensitive view of the early cosmos that anyone has ever seen
Newfound Exoplanets around Barnard’s Star Resolve Long-Standing Astronomical Quest
Four small, newly discovered worlds are less than six light-years away from Earth, and their discovery reinforces a cautionary tale from planet hunting’s prehistory
Dark Matter Might Lurk in Its Own Shadow World
Dark matter could be an entire dark sector of the universe, with its own particles and forces
Wow! Blue Ghost Captures Total Lunar Eclipse from the Moon
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 lunar lander snapped incredible photographs of the March 13–14 total lunar eclipse, as seen from the moon